The first of our Autumn talks was given by Sue Beacon on the National Garden Scheme (NGS) The first part of the talk was on the history of the NGS followed by a series of illustrated slides showing the large range of gardens involved. A booklet of local NGS gardens is available at selected garden centres, local libraries and tourist information centres. More information can be found on their website.

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors access to private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. In so doing this raises money for nursing and health charities. Its origin can be traced back to 1859 when William Rathbone a Liverpool architect and later MP employed Mary Robinson to nurse his wife. After his wife’s death Rathbone continued to employ Mrs Robinson to care for the sick poor of Liverpool. He then approached Florence Nightingale to organise a district nursing service. In 1887 the Queens Nursing Institute was founded to coordinate national standards and training for district nurses.

In 1926 Miss Elsie Wagg, a council member suggested raising money for district nursing through the nations obsession with gardening. In May 1927 the National Garden Scheme was launched. Admissions was a shilling a head and over 600 gardens opened raising £8191. Today as it approaches it’s centenary year over 3300 gardens are involved with the money raised still going to nursing, health and gardening charities.

Article written by Richard Hughes, with thanks. If you would like to attend any events or join our Association, please complete Contact Form.